Laserfiche WebLink
Page 5 <br /> Certain members present on behalf of the School Councils were Diane <br /> Mulvey, Middle School; Suzanne Avtges, Grade 5 teacher Middle <br /> School; Maureen Paxton, Coombs School; Maryanne MacDonald, Coombs ` <br /> School; Terry Cook; and Betty Phillips, Principal Mashpee Middle <br /> School. There were also other people sitting in at the meeting on <br /> behalf of the schools. It is noted that the Councils pointed out <br /> that they are only an advisory council and were asked only to <br /> prioritize increases. Mr. Ferriday wanted to begin their <br /> discussion by saying that the Finance Committee is a Committee who <br /> is willing to meet with the Councils as often as they wish. <br /> Unfortunately, Mr. Ferriday explained the Town is revenue driven <br /> and money cannot be spent that the Town does not have. <br /> Mrs. Phillips mentioned that there is $407,000 expected to come to <br /> the Town for the schools. Ms. Greelish indicated that she has <br /> heard $107,000 is coming to the town, but it is not a direct check <br /> to the schools. It is just legislation. The councils asked about <br /> the $184 ,000. Ms. Greelish responded that the Finance Committee <br /> recommended $5.5 million for FY94 and then the Town Meeting gave an <br /> additional $43 ,000 on top of that. It was the belief of the <br /> Finance Committee at that time that the budget was completely <br /> funded. It was Ms. Greelish's opinion that the only person who was <br /> really expecting that $184,000 was Dr. DeMoura. Ms. King mentioned <br /> that he is now asking for $71,000 because he over funded. Mr. <br /> Ferriday stated that he wished everyone to realize that what Dr. <br /> DeMoura and the School Committee does is completely legal and that <br /> they have every right, the Finance Committee just feels <br /> differently. Ms. Avtges mentioned that they are asked to do is <br /> give a recommendation/revision in October, with the school year <br /> only beginning a month before. She indicated that the Science <br /> budget was cut last year and that a revision was in the process of <br /> being done now. Mr. Ferriday stated that it is the responsibility <br /> of the Finance Committee to take the total revenue pie and cut a <br /> piece big enough for the schools. Ms. Avtges mentioned that as a <br /> school council member she helped making a recommendation of $1. 3 <br /> million increase and that they then met with the School Committee <br /> and were told to get it down to $980,000. Mrs. Phillips stated <br /> that if the Finance Committee recommends $5.1 million then there <br /> will be zero staff increases and fifth grade will go to 29 kids. <br /> Ms. Greelish made a comment that it was blackmail. <br /> Ms. Greelish asked whose decision it was to keep full time <br /> kindergartners and not hire a fifth grade teacher? Ms. Mulvey also <br /> agreed that there was no need for a full time kindergarten. Other <br /> school council members also agreed with Ms. Mulvey that they <br /> resented paying for a full time day care. A council member asked <br /> why parents couldn't elect to have their child go to full time <br /> kindergarten and pay some sort of fee? Ms. Greelish believes that <br /> the idea of the school Councils is great. She admitted that the <br /> Finance Committee believed that they were sacrificing a lot of <br /> other Town Departments this year to move forward on the school <br /> IN side. She asked how the school council felt about the <br />